DILI, 11 november 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste welcomes the ASEAN Leaders’ statement on the application of Timor-Leste for ASEAN Membership to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th Member of ASEAN and looks forward to working with the incoming Chairmanship, the Republic of Indonesia.
“We are delighted to collaborate and work with the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the ASEAN Secretariat towards the preparation of the roadmap and for Timor-Leste’s full membership including the milestones identified in the reports of the Fact-Finding Missions,” said in a statement released by the Government of Timor-Leste, on friday (11/11).
According to the statement, Timor-Leste requested the ASEAN Member States to grant full membership to the country in 2023, following eleven years of preparation and the adoption of the roadmap and report to the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
The statement said: “We acknowledge and thank the continuous assistance and full support from the ASEAN Member States, especially to the Kingdom of Cambodia for the unwavering support and our appreciation to external partners for providing capacity-building assistance.”
The country expressed its appreciation for the ASEAN leader’s statement announced on friday during a meeting held in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.
ASEAN leaders made the statement after considering the outcomes of Fact-Finding Missions to Timor-Leste conducted by the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
Timor-Leste’s dream of becoming a member of ASEAN has persisted since 1975, when the country proclaimed its independence, but has not yet been achieved.
Following the restoration of independence in may 2002, the country officially applied for ASEAN membership on march 4, 2011.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
